Cruising Log 2000

That was it for 1999 because shortly afterwards the rains came. High waters, dangerous flows and impassable bridges closed our part of the river for navigation until the middle of June 2000. Conditions in the Pike marina were dreadful and for several weeks we actually could not reach ‘Tambourine’ at all. We are sorely tempted to leave the river and find a mooring on the canal system somewhere. Many boaters are demanding a licence refund from the EA because the river has been un-navigable for almost 9 months.

This was just a day trip to Westview and back for Steve’s birthday. Saw several other narrowboats on the move and at Brownshill met Mark and Rosie Day, just leaving their wedding reception in true Pike and Eel Boat Club style – by water. The weather was good and altogether a pleasant day.

3 hours, 2 locks

The weather for the past 3 weeks had been absolutely dreadful but nothing daunted, we loaded up for our week-away cruise and left at 4pm on a cold and very windy afternoon. Had some trouble berthing at Westview in the wind but managed it in the end with help from the crew of a cruiser moored on the pontoon.

Collected from the boat by David and Sandra Perrett and had a pleasant evening at their house in Bluntisham. The wind increased in strength during the night.

1 ½ hours, 1 lock

Steve wasn’t feeling too clever this morning so a gentle start at 10.30. Made it as far as the Twenty Pence, the wind had moderated but it was terribly cold and gloomy. Moored on the marina bank and had a drink and some lunch with Anne and Pete from ‘The Hobbit’ and their friends Margaret and Graham.

Decided to call it a day as the weather was so foul so went back to the boat and read. By evening the sky was clearing and the wind dropped so a pleasant end to the day at least.

2 ¾ hours, 1 lock

Another cold and gloomy start. Set off at 9.30am and reached Ely at mid-day. Moored outside the Cutter and went to Tescos for provisions. Met Ann and Pete – again – and had a drink with them in the Cutter. They recommended the EA mooring on the River Lark as an overnight stop so we set off at 4.30; the weather was improving and it was almost getting warm. Arrived at the moorings where there was a lot of activity including another NB and a couple of our neighbours from the Pike and Eel. With a bit of juggling we managed to fit all the boats into the space. By now the sun was out and it was warm enough to sit out for the first time we can remember. Sat and chatted with the other boaters until well after midnight.

3 ½ hours

     Moorings on the river Lark

At last – a warm and sunny morning! We winded Tambourine in her own length by springing the stern off the bank and cranking her round on the bow-thruster with about 2 feet to spare! Left the others to head off to Judes Ferry and we pushed back out onto the main stream and north for Denver. Of course the weather began to deteriorate as cloud built up, and the temperature fell rapidly. This part of the river is not exactly scenic and the gathering gloom made it look more bleak and featureless than usual. Arrived at Denver at 12.30 with only one mooring left (right outside the Jenyns Arms pub) so stopped there.

A quick salad lunch and a dog-walk followed; then a sit-down to read the papers. Changed and went to the pub for supper but on seeing the enormous portions they serve we felt we couldn’t do justice to them. So after a couple of drinks and a chat to a few fellow boaters we returned to base and cooked on board instead.

The Jenyns Arms is the only pub owned by the Environment Agency. Not many people know that.

3 hours

     Moored outside the 'Jenyns Arms' at Denver Sluice

A sunny morning and a promising forecast for the rest of the week on the radio. Did a few domestic chores then walked across to the sluice to watch boats locking in and out of the tideway to and from the MLN. Finally cast off from Denver at 12.30pm. Stopped for lunch at the EA moorings just below Littleport Boathaven and then onward through Ely (where there wasn’t a single mooring to be had) and tied up at the EA moorings at Little Thetford at 5.30pm. Two other narrowboats there but I didn’t note their names. Learned from our neighbours that Brownshill Staunch lock is broken again and expected to be out of commission for several days.

Had a look round Little Thetford – nothing here but a cluster of houses around a little village green. After a boaters fry-up supper and a glass or two of the old red stuff, turned in at around 11. A beautiful, peaceful rural mooring.

4 ½ hours

This trip seems to be turning into a pub crawl (and why not). A quick hours run to the Five Miles where – yes, met Anne and Pete off The Hobbit again – so had to have a few drinks to renew the acquaintance. Stayed put for the rest of the day, washed the boat down, did a few chores and chatted to other boaters. By nightfall everyone had moved on and we had the moorings to ourselves. Very few boats on the move today.

1 hour

Left the Five Miles at 8.15 and breakfasted on the move A glorious morning. Worked through Bottisham and Baits Bite locks and arrived in Cambridge city centre at 12.30pm. Winded just downstream of Jesus Lock and tied up by the swimming pool. Emptied the loo in the sanitary station there but it was in an appalling state. Then we strolled into the centre for money and provisions, had a pint at the curiously named ‘Rat and Parrot’, returned to Tambourine and slipped the lines at 2.30pm.

Worked back through Baits Bite lock and called it a day outside the Bridge Hotel at Clayhithe at 4pm. We greatly enjoyed the Cam. (It’s the only river in Britain where mooring up against the tow-path is not allowed – interesting, eh?)

We went into the Bridge about 8pm; it was absolutely heaving and they were fully booked for food. So back to the boat for an on-board meal.

4 ½ hours, 3 locks

Left the Bridge at 9am; the brief run of good weather has ended and the wind is a very brisk northerly. It was so cold Steve had to wear gloves. At Baits Bite lock the lifting gate wouldn’t lift - but after faffing around for well over an hour (and making several fruitless phone calls to the EA) we and the other boaters - who were forming quite a queue either side – managed to get it working.

Arrived at the Fish and Duck early afternoon. Had a very pleasant evening there, a superb bar-meal and a long chat with Mike the landlord. Bed at 10.30pm.

4 hours, 1 lock

Left the F&D at 8.30 and ran non-stop back to the Pike on another cheerless grey day. Arrived at around 1pm, had a chat with Anne and Pete, washed the boat down and decided not to go home until the following morning. Had a ‘quiet evening in’ playing board games.

4 ½ hours, 2 locks

Spent the weekend at the mooring apart from a quick trip to the waterpoint for a re-fill. Had an out-door chinese with Roy and Margaret from next door. Beautiful summery weather for once.

11 August 2000 (Gary and friends)

Set off at 10am and got lots of comments from people waiting at Brownshill because of the three bikes strapped onto the boat roof. Stopped at the Fish and Duck for lunch and then went on to the Five Miles where we stayed the night.

6 hours, 2 locks

Left the Five Miles at 10am and went to the Twenty-Pence inn for lunch. Lots of nice compliments about our boat-handling from people we met and even complimented by the Hermitage Sluice lockie. Re-berthed at the Pike at 5.30pm. It was a superb weekend run and we all had a great time.

5 ½ hours, 2 locks

Arrived last night to get everything ready for Kenneth and Diana’s visit – water, loo etc but still no bloody diesel available. Tank dip showed just over ¼-full so will be OK for this weekend. K&D arrived at 10.15 and we had a pleasant run to the Twenty-pence where we stopped for a beer and then had lunch on the move. Reached the GOBA moorings at Popes Corner at 4pm and tied up 2 bays down from the railway line. A stunning sunset and a pleasant evening, finished off with a quick one at the Fish and Duck.

4 ½ hours, 2 locks

   Sunset at Pope's Corner, Old West River

Left Popes Corner at about 10am and cruised to the GOBA moorings at Aldreth Bridge where we stopped for a carbonara lunch. River very busy today and quite a wait at Brownshill, but arrived back at the Pike at 5.45pm. Said our goodbyes and then cleaned up, supper, a pint in the pub and bed. We left for home early on the Monday morning.

4 ½ hours, 2 locks

Andy and I arrived at 4pm, unloaded, went for a pint. Moved across to the diesel pumps but Chuck the manager was no-where to be found – so back to the berth again, supper and bed.

After an early-morning search for someone to serve us with diesel (no luck there) set off to the Twentypence and stopped for a lunchtime libation. Then on to the Fish and Duck, tying up outside the pub. Had a steak bar meal and an entertaining evening swapping jokes and stories with Mike the landlord and fell into bed around 10. Lovely weather all day.

4 hours, 2 locks

Winded the boat at 9am and headed for Ely. Diesel, water and bog duty at Ely Marina and then carried on downstream to the Black Horse for a liquid lunch. Then moved on to Littleport Boathaven and booked the boat in for a re-blacking during the 1^st week of October. Carried on to the Ship at Brandon Creek and tied up on the pub moorings. Nosed about the half-sunk steam tug ‘Turmoil’ lying at the end of the field. A chicken drumstick supper and bottle of red then listened to music tapes. Another sunny day but with a chilly breeze.

4 hours

Floating duckweed outside 'The Ship' at Brandon Creek

Left the ship at 9.30pm and headed up Brandon Creek, arriving at Brandon at 12.30pm. Followed another narrowboat all the way but saw nothing else on the move at all. Moored up on the short landing stage in front of the other boat and walked into Brandon with the dog for a pint. Meandered back in the sunshine, turned downstream and headed back towards the main river. Swift trip due to quite fast current on Brandon Creek. At the Ship, turned upstream and returned to the Black Horse, arriving 6.30pm. After supper, put a lot of money into the pub juke box and drank beer. At 10.30pm the heavens opened and had to dash out and sheet the cratch down.

7 ½ hours

Left Littleport at 10 after getting papers etc and returned to Ely for water and bog duty at the EA facility by the railway bridge. Abandoned the idea of doing the River Lark but continued up onto the Cam and stopped at the 5 Miles. Met Sally and Jed on Solstice and had a natter. After lunch, winded in the lock entrance and back to the Fish and Duck. Decided to go no further as wind rising rapidly and making handling uncomfortable. Beer and bar snacks in the pub and bed around 10.

4 hours

Left Fish and Duck at 10am and a smooth run to the Twentypence beer-stop despite strengthening winds. Passed Hermitage lock OK but held back at Brownshill to let cruisers through as they were having great problems in the wind. Got back to base at 6.30 pm. Beer, large plate of stew and bed.

5 ½ hours, 2 locks

Left the Pike at 10.30 with Cathy and Frank on a sunny morning but the river very full after recent rain. Both gates at Brownshill Staunch were under water and the river was across the wash fields by Westview. Had to remove the chimney to get under the bridge at Hermitage. When we tried to exit Hermitage lock the engine failed; broken fuel pump line. Managed to get tied up at the entrance to Hermitage marina and arranged with Gary from Littleport Boathaven to repair the pump and pipe-work and take the boat back to Littleport for blacking. Stayed on the boat for the rest of the weekend as the weather was lovely. Finally, tidied up, stowed all breakables and headed for home leaving the boat keys with the marina manager.

1 ½ hours, 2 locks

Settled bill at Littleport. Swept leaves and conkers off the roof and checked everything over. Noticed the gang-plank has gone missing. Satisfied ourselves that all would be secure over winter. Pike and Eel marina very badly flooded at present.

The first day without rain since our last visit. The river is very high indeed. Ran engine, pumped bilges out (a lot of accumulated water) and started putting things back. Asked Gary to check stern gland and re-fill greaser, also re-set engine idle.